By Staff Reporter
LEPHEPANE– A 45-year-old man allegedly set a house on fire after failing to find his wife at home in Lephepane-Khopho village, under the Greater Tzaneen Municipality.
According to information received, the incident occurred at around midnight on Sunday, 14 December 2025. It is alleged that the man arrived at the family homestead earlier that day looking for his wife.
His mother reportedly refused to disclose her whereabouts, fearing that he might assault her, as the man is allegedly known to be abusive.
A reliable source indicated that the wife had gone to visit her aunt within the same Khopho village. Later that night, the man allegedly set the house alight. Fortunately, the wife and children were not inside the house at the time of the incident.
The fire quickly engulfed the building. Neighbours rushed to the scene after noticing smoke, but were unable to save the house from being destroyed.
The suspect reportedly fled the scene shortly after the fire started. He later handed himself over to the Ritavi Police Station on Monday morning, 15 December 2025. Police investigations are ongoing.
